Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter Overcrowded with Dogs and Cats

The fallout from rising inflation and the current higher cost of living is affecting people’s pets.

As the economy tanks and the cost to feed one’s family and pay for other necessisties like housing continues to rise, many people are turning in their pets to local shelters or simply abandoning them.

Now, the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter is facing a problem they haven’t had in some years – overcrowding.

Shelter Director Tammi Jourdenais says they have not had this many dogs and cats at their shelter since she took over as director.

“Right now we just can’t seem to get them out faster than they’re coming in. There was one day recently when we took in 18 animals in one day. We are just completely out of room. We are begging the public if you are considering adopting a dog or cat to come to the shelter. We have not had to euthanize for space for years and it’s heartbreaking to even consider the thought but we are out of options,” she said.

The Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter works with the Hart County Humane Society, which is a no-kill rescue in Hartwell, to take dogs and cats out of the shelter in Lavonia and find them homes.

Jourdenais also works with many other no-kill animal rescue groups across the Southeast but they, along with the Hart County Humane Society are also out of space and foster homes.

Hart County Humane held a Clear the Shelter event this past weekend at the Anderson Petsmart and were able to get some cats and dogs adopted but there are still more that need homes.

Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter is open today and Wednesday and Friday and Saturday from 11a to 4p.

If you’ve been considering adopting a pet, now is a great time to come out and see all of the wonderful dogs and cats available at the shelter.

Jourdenais says you can see some of the dogs and cats available for adoption on the shelter Facebook page.

“There are dogs posted daily on our Facebook page. We’re in the middle of making more updated photos of what’s here. We really don’t have any small dogs right now but lots and lots of medium to large dogs,” Jourdenais said.

And with an influx of animals, the shelter is running out of pet food and supplies faster than normal.

“Also, during this time we’re going through a whole lot more food. We are desperate need of dry dog food, dry puppy food, dry cat food. We don’t need any canned food because we got a lot from Purina in Hartwell,” she said. “Also, we are going through a whole lot more cleaner. We need basic cleaning supplies like bleach, Mr. Clean, paper towels, Fabuloso. And we desperately need shredded paper – the long kind, not the short strips because they get clogged in our drains. And newspapers, too.”

The adoption fee for dogs is $75 and includes their shots and a free spay/neuter certificate.

The adoption for cats is $40 and also includes their shots and a spay/neuter certificate.

You can view some of the dogs and cats up for adoption on the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter Facebook page.

If you have questions y ou can call them at 706-356-5363.

The shelter is located on Bear Creek Road in Lavonia.